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Ecuador🇪🇨 | festivalsCarnaval de GuarandaWater and foam fights, Guaranda copleros, Ambato floats, canelazo nights | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Carnaval de Guaranda
🏆 Top pickfestival ranked #1
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 19, 2026

Carnaval in Ecuador is the one holiday where strangers will soak you without warning, and water balloons, foam spray and flour fly at tourists as readily as at locals. Ecuador’s celebration peaks across the Andean highlands, with Ambato, Guaranda and Azogues anchoring it, and runs the weekend plus Monday and Tuesday before Lent. Expect parades, brass bands, comparsas in costume, street food and cheap local beer. Buses fill and rooms in Guaranda disappear weeks ahead. My mistake was arriving in Guaranda on Saturday with nothing booked and my camera in an open daypack. I paid triple for a floor mattress and lost a battery to a bucket. Now I book early and carry a dry bag. Go if you like loud, messy crowds and joining in. Skip it if you want quiet colonial streets or need to keep your clothes dry.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Ecuador Travel Guide.


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✨ Why go?
Ranked #1 festival in EcuadorWhat makes this festival worth celebrating

Carnaval pulls backpackers because it turns Andean towns into one giant, water-soaked block party where nobody stays a spectator for long. Hostel dorms in Guaranda and Ambato become instant friend groups, and you will end up sharing a bucket of foam with people you met an hour earlier. The Fiesta de la Fruta y de las Flores in Ambato gives the festival a clear structure, with flower-covered floats and fruit-laden parades in a city where water and foam games are banned. In Guaranda, the celebration feels more local, with copleros singing verses and families sharing canelazo and pork dishes in the plaza. Costs stay modest compared with big festivals elsewhere in South America, since the main events are free and street food is cheap. It also slots into a highland loop easily, because Ambato, … read more 👉
Carnaval pulls backpackers because it turns Andean towns into one giant, water-soaked block party where nobody stays a spectator for long. Hostel dorms in Guaranda and Ambato become instant friend groups, and you will end up sharing a bucket of foam with people you met an hour earlier. The Fiesta de la Fruta y de las Flores in Ambato gives the festival a clear structure, with flower-covered floats and fruit-laden parades in a city where water and foam games are banned. In Guaranda, the celebration feels more local, with copleros singing verses and families sharing canelazo and pork dishes in the plaza. Costs stay modest compared with big festivals elsewhere in South America, since the main events are free and street food is cheap. It also slots into a highland loop easily, because Ambato, Riobamba, Cuenca and Quito all lie within reach of each other by bus, so you can chase the party for a few days and then move on to volcano hikes or market towns.

💡 HighlightsEssential experiences to have while celebrating the Carnaval de Guaranda

  1. Fiesta de la Fruta y de las Flores, Ambato: The city’s signature parade fills the streets with floats decorated in flowers, fruit and bread, and it is the version of Carnaval most Ecuadorians point to first. Find a spot on the main route early.
  2. Carnaval de Guaranda: This is the highland festival with the deepest roots. Bands, costumed dancers and copleros fill the plaza with song, and the water, flour and foam fights run for days.
  3. Street water and foam fights: Across the highlands, anyone is fair game. Kids with buckets and teenagers with spray cans set the pace, so carry a poncho and waterproof your phone.
  4. Comparsas and costumed dance groups: Neighborhood groups parade in elaborate masks and bright outfits, often to live brass bands. They are the best place to see regional music and dance up
… read more 👉
  1. Fiesta de la Fruta y de las Flores, Ambato: The city’s signature parade fills the streets with floats decorated in flowers, fruit and bread, and it is the version of Carnaval most Ecuadorians point to first. Find a spot on the main route early.
  2. Carnaval de Guaranda: This is the highland festival with the deepest roots. Bands, costumed dancers and copleros fill the plaza with song, and the water, flour and foam fights run for days.
  3. Street water and foam fights: Across the highlands, anyone is fair game. Kids with buckets and teenagers with spray cans set the pace, so carry a poncho and waterproof your phone.
  4. Comparsas and costumed dance groups: Neighborhood groups parade in elaborate masks and bright outfits, often to live brass bands. They are the best place to see regional music and dance up close.
  5. Canelazo and local street food: Hot cinnamon-and-aguardiente canelazo warms up the cooler evenings, and stalls sell hornado (roast pork), fritada and empanadas. Eat where lines are long.
Ambato’s fruit-and-flower parade is the dry option, since a city ordinance bans water and foam games there, so save the soaking for Guaranda.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

🌤️ When to go?When is the celebration of Carnaval de Guaranda?

Carnaval in Ecuador falls on the Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, usually in February (sometimes early March), and the celebrations run about four to five days from the Saturday before, with the biggest parties in Ambato, Guaranda and Azogues, plus water fights nationwide.
  • Best day: Saturday and Sunday bring the parades and the loudest street scenes. Monday and Tuesday are the real water-and-foam battles, so go then if you want to get soaked. In Guaranda, the Sunday and Monday processions are the highlight.
  • Weather: The Andes are cool and showery at this time, roughly 8 to 20°C (46 to 68°F) in the highlands, with afternoon rain likely. Coastal areas run 24 to 31°C (75 to 88°F) and humid. Bring a poncho, quick-dry clothes, a waterproof phone pouch and a spare dry layer.
  • Booking: Reserve
… read more 👉
Carnaval in Ecuador falls on the Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, usually in February (sometimes early March), and the celebrations run about four to five days from the Saturday before, with the biggest parties in Ambato, Guaranda and Azogues, plus water fights nationwide.
  • Best day: Saturday and Sunday bring the parades and the loudest street scenes. Monday and Tuesday are the real water-and-foam battles, so go then if you want to get soaked. In Guaranda, the Sunday and Monday processions are the highlight.
  • Weather: The Andes are cool and showery at this time, roughly 8 to 20°C (46 to 68°F) in the highlands, with afternoon rain likely. Coastal areas run 24 to 31°C (75 to 88°F) and humid. Bring a poncho, quick-dry clothes, a waterproof phone pouch and a spare dry layer.
  • Booking: Reserve beds in Guaranda and Ambato four to six weeks ahead. Rates often rise 30 to 50 percent over the weekend.
  • Crowds: Buses fill heavily on the Friday evening and the Tuesday night return. Travel Thursday or Wednesday morning to avoid jams on the Panamericana.
Arrive the day before the main parade and leave Wednesday morning, once the roads have cleared.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: not recommended for travelingFEBFebruary: excellent for travelingMARMarch: not recommended for travelingAPRApril: not recommended for travelingMAYMay: not recommended for travelingJUNJune: not recommended for travelingJULJuly: not recommended for travelingAUGAugust: not recommended for travelingSEPSeptember: not recommended for travelingOCTOctober: not recommended for travelingNOVNovember: not recommended for travelingDECDecember: not recommended for traveling

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🛏️ Where to stay?Choosing the right base

Base yourself in a town that holds its own celebration, with Ambato, Guaranda and Cuenca the strongest picks for backpackers.
Ambato is the easiest option. It sits on the main north-south highway, buses arrive all day from Quito (about 2.5 to 3 hours), and the central area around Parque Cevallos has the most budget lodging in walking distance of the parades. It is also home to the Fiesta de las Flores y las Frutas, which runs around the same period. Stay within a few blocks of the center and you can walk home after dark in a group, which is the sensible way to do it.
Guaranda is the place for the … read more 👉
Base yourself in a town that holds its own celebration, with Ambato, Guaranda and Cuenca the strongest picks for backpackers.
Ambato is the easiest option. It sits on the main north-south highway, buses arrive all day from Quito (about 2.5 to 3 hours), and the central area around Parque Cevallos has the most budget lodging in walking distance of the parades. It is also home to the Fiesta de las Flores y las Frutas, which runs around the same period. Stay within a few blocks of the center and you can walk home after dark in a group, which is the sensible way to do it.
Guaranda is the place for the most traditional Carnaval, with comparsas, copla singing and plenty of locals dancing in the streets. Accommodation is limited and simple, so the old center near the main plaza is the area to aim for, and early booking matters. Expect to share a table and a few stories with other travelers.
Cuenca is the social option. The historic center and the streets near the Tomebamba River have the densest cluster of hostels, a good café scene and easy company for solo travelers. Water-throwing is lively but less rowdy than in the central highlands.
Wherever you stay, pick a central block with a busy street, not a hillside edge, and keep valuables locked up when you head out to the parades.
Best hostels in Ecuador


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👛 Costs (as of 19 October 2026)Typical daily expenses

A realistic budget for one day at Carnaval in Ecuador is about US$37 to 82 per person, with the total below counting high-season accommodation.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Festival ticketsUS$0 to 10Street parades and water fights are free. Grandstand seats at larger parades in Ambato or Guaranda cost a few dollars.
AccommodationUS$12 to 25 (high season); US$8 to 15 (low season)Dorm beds and basic private rooms sell out early, and prices jump 30 to 50 percent on the main weekend.
Local transportUS$5 to 12Intercity buses cost about US$2 to 5 per leg, for example Quito to Ambato. Local city buses cost US$0.35 to 0.45, and taxis are US$2 to 5 for short rides.
Food & drinksUS$15 to 25Street plates are US$2 to 6, set lunches US$3 to 5, and canelazo or beers US$1 to 3.
Miscellaneous expensesUS$5
… read more 👉
A realistic budget for one day at Carnaval in Ecuador is about US$37 to 82 per person, with the total below counting high-season accommodation.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Festival ticketsUS$0 to 10Street parades and water fights are free. Grandstand seats at larger parades in Ambato or Guaranda cost a few dollars.
AccommodationUS$12 to 25 (high season); US$8 to 15 (low season)Dorm beds and basic private rooms sell out early, and prices jump 30 to 50 percent on the main weekend.
Local transportUS$5 to 12Intercity buses cost about US$2 to 5 per leg, for example Quito to Ambato. Local city buses cost US$0.35 to 0.45, and taxis are US$2 to 5 for short rides.
Food & drinksUS$15 to 25Street plates are US$2 to 6, set lunches US$3 to 5, and canelazo or beers US$1 to 3.
Miscellaneous expensesUS$5 to 10Poncho, waterproof phone pouch, foam spray and a little extra cash for tips and small purchases.
Total Daily BudgetUS$37 to 82Roughly US$60 for a typical independent traveler.


source: ecuador.travel
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🍲 FoodLocal Cuisine & Drinks

Carnaval food is street food, eaten standing up with wet hands and plenty of napkins.
The star in Ambato and the central highlands is hornado, slow-roasted pork served with llapingachos (cheesy potato patties) and a dollop of ají. Stalls near the parade routes sell portions for roughly US$3 to 6. In Cuenca and Azuay, look for cuy (roast guinea pig) if you want the full experience, though it is pricier at US$12 to 20 per portion and best shared. Fritada, empanadas de viento and choclo con queso (corn and cheese) keep you going between water fights at about US$1 to 3 each.
For drinks, try canelazo, a hot cinnamon and sugarcane aguardiente drink that warms cold highland evenings for US$1 to 2. In Guaranda, local puntas (cane liquor) circulates freely, and you will likely be offered a cup. Take … read more 👉
Carnaval food is street food, eaten standing up with wet hands and plenty of napkins.
The star in Ambato and the central highlands is hornado, slow-roasted pork served with llapingachos (cheesy potato patties) and a dollop of ají. Stalls near the parade routes sell portions for roughly US$3 to 6. In Cuenca and Azuay, look for cuy (roast guinea pig) if you want the full experience, though it is pricier at US$12 to 20 per portion and best shared. Fritada, empanadas de viento and choclo con queso (corn and cheese) keep you going between water fights at about US$1 to 3 each.
For drinks, try canelazo, a hot cinnamon and sugarcane aguardiente drink that warms cold highland evenings for US$1 to 2. In Guaranda, local puntas (cane liquor) circulates freely, and you will likely be offered a cup. Take it with a smile, take a small sip, and pass it along. Chicha and fresh juices are sold from carts all day.
Pay in cash, mostly small bills and coins, since stalls rarely have change for US$20 notes and cards are not accepted. Lines move fast but are informal, so stand close and make eye contact with the cook. Keep food in a bag or under a poncho, because foam and water sprays hit without warning.

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Carnaval in Ecuador takes place on the Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, usually in February or early March, with festivities running from the Saturday before. The biggest celebrations are in Ambato, Guaranda and Azogues, while water fights happen across the country. Expect four to five days of activity, with the peak on Sunday through Tuesday.
Most of Carnaval is free, since street parties and water fights cost nothing. Grandstand seats at big parades run around US$0 to 10, and a daily budget including a bed, food and local buses comes to roughly US$40 to 80. Beds can cost 30 to 50 percent more over the main weekend, and street food plates are US$2 to 6.
Tickets are not needed for the street celebrations, which are open and free in Ambato, Guaranda, Cuenca and elsewhere. Only reserved grandstand seats at some parades require a ticket, usually a few dollars, bought locally or at the gate. The advance booking that matters is accommodation, which should be secured four to six weeks ahead in Guaranda and Ambato.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

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We 💚 feedbackWhat to keep in mind

Carnaval is for travelers who like noise, crowds and being part of the show, and who laugh when a bucket lands on them. If you want calm sightseeing, pick another week. I would book a bed well ahead, pack a dry bag and old clothes, and leave anything fragile at the hostel.

✈️ When did I visit Ecuador?
Ecuador I visited during my half year trip through South and Central America back in 2003

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Ecuador, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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